Coastland Habitat – Sea Cliffs
Sea Cliffs are divided into 2 categories:
Rocky Sea Cliffs
Rocky Sea Cliffs typically rise over 5m high directly from the sea or have a narrow shoreline. To be classified as a rocky cliff at least 50% rock must be present, however, there may also be gravel and loose soil found in places. A Rocky cliff face may include features such as crevices, overhangs, and ledges. These stable features support an abundance of wildlife, such as lichens which colonise most of the rocks, a huge variety of coastal vegetation and seabirds who take advantage of the inaccessibility as a safe place to breed.
Sedimentary Sea Cliffs
Sedimentary sea cliffs are over 3m high and made up of loosely compacted materials, such as mud, sand, chalk and gravel. These materials may occur alone or as a mixture, along with larger stones and boulders. Sedimentary cliff faces appear almost vertical and are home to a variety of coastal plant life. However, due to their unstable nature, they are easily eroded, which may result in areas totally void of vegetation.
Sea Cliff Species
Click on the links below to find out more about the species.